Four Scottish football clubs playing in the top three divisions are currently facing serious financial problems according to a new report from insolvency specialist Begbies Traynor.

The firm's study found the level of financial trouble was at a similar level to last year across the three divisions, though the number of clubs facing serious difficulties dropped to four against six reported last October.

However, the number of clubs in severe financial distress is back to the same level Begbies reported in March 2012.

According to the study, the warning signs of financial problems include serious court actions against clubs, including winding up petitions and high court writs; clubs that have been issued with striking off notices for late filing of accounts; and those with serious negative balances in their accounts.

In the last year both Kilmarnock and Hearts settled bills after being faced with the threat of winding up orders.

No details have been provided as to which Scottish clubs are experiencing severe financial distress, nor have Begbies indicated if any of the clubs had also featured in last year's study.

The firm also found English clubs outside the Premier League are in a similar state to Scottish clubs with falling attendances troubling their finances.

Begbies said the results come at a time when clubs are at their weakest financially, having spent the majority of their season ticket, sponsorship and television revenue as the season nears its end.

Earlier in the week Dunfermline Athletic applied to go into administration to avert being wound up over an unpaid £134,000 tax bill.

A number of first team players were made redundant on Thursday as the Fife club reduced its wage bill.

Begbies said the Premier League and First Division have seen a fall in average attendances this season compared to last, which has contributed to financial problems.

Ken Pattullo, head of Begbies Traynor in Scotland, said: "After a number of well-publicised club failures here in Scotland it was widely accepted that a sea change was needed in the way clubs approached their finances.

"These survey results show that while clubs have started to address their financial management issues, the same worrying levels of distress are present as there were a year ago, but the game has coped with the disruption that the Rangers administration caused last year.

"The fall in distress levels in the past six months even comes despite a fall in average attendances overall in the top three divisions, and shows that the vast majority of clubs have coped with the 'Rangers effect' that saw the average gates in the Scottish Premier League fall by almost 30 per cent.”

Pattullo added: "Overall there are actually five per cent more fans going to matches in the top four divisions, and that is great news for the future of the game in Scotland.

“That said, there are still four clubs facing serious if not necessarily terminal financial problems, and we expect to see more difficulties in the coming year.

"The Rangers relegation has sent average attendances in division three through the roof, as expected, with average gates up by over 1,000 per cent, but of course the majority of this benefit is felt by the Ibrox club.

"Overall, the finances of Scottish football clubs have remained similar to a year ago, and have dramatically improved since six months ago in October, when historically the clubs have most of their cash reserves.

“This is a welcome trend and we hope that clubs can make further progress over the summer and into next season."